A compliance program should aid in auditing. However, small companies can be put in a difficult position. They need to set up or configure the compliance software before they can organise their SOC 2 control. It raises a good question. What happens when the tool which is intended to lower compliance turn into a separate project?
CertAssist resulted from that frustration. The team behind it had been involved in compliance-related implementations and audits for SOC 2, ISO 27001 as well as other frameworks. The creators of this software had to contend with platforms with a variety of functions and integrations. However, their employers still used spreadsheets to prepare crucial audit documents. SOC 2 software that is simple is more appropriate for smaller businesses.
Begin by identifying the task that Needs to Be Done
Get rid of the software jargon, and it becomes easier to understand. An organization must work through the pertinent Trust Services Criteria, establish appropriate controls, document policies, collect evidence, track progress, and then make the information available for audits conducted by an independent entity. A platform is able to manage those processes without having to be connected to each cloud-based service or identity system the company uses.
Automated integrations can be extremely valuable. An organization that collects evidence in a constantly evolving environment could save significant time by automating. However, that doesn’t make the same architecture essential for SOC 2 for startups. A startup that has a small technology environment might prefer to present evidence in person and avoid maintaining numerous integrations.
Both the Software and Audit are distinct expenses
When companies consider all compliance costs in one number, budgeting may become confusing. The SOC 2 cost includes more than software. The internal staff has to devote time preparing policies, addressing gaps in control, arranging proof as well as working with auditors. Independent audits also have their own costs.
Businesses researching SOC 2 Certification Costs must be aware of the distinction: SOC 2 is not a certificate in the sense of ISO 27001. Instead, it provides an independent attestation rather than a standard certification. However, the term “certification cost” is commonly employed by businesses looking for pricing information, is still frequently used. Whatever the terminology used in a budget, the software doesn’t replace the independent audit.
The Middle Ground Doesn’t have to be an Excel Spreadsheet
Spreadsheets are often familiar and affordable, however they can become uncomfortable when multiple spreadsheets are used for communication of policies, control, evidence, ownership and audit communications.
It is not required to use an enterprise platform to serve as a substitute. CertAssist shows the SOC 2 controls on an integrated board. It also offers editable templates for policies and evidence, along with progress tracking, and auditors will only view. The platform’s access is protected by a multi-factor authentication requirement. The initial price for launch of $225 is and will be followed by a regular price of $375 per month or $3,999 per year.
The same process that can reduce exposure could also be achieved without the need to it.
CertAssist does not intend to connect with a company’s operating systems. Evidence is presented but does not grant the platform with access to cloud environments and the identity environment.
This approach is not without its drawbacks. It is the obligation of the company to provide evidence which could have been automatically collected. However, for small teams, the extra effort can be justified by a more simple setup and lower costs for software and with fewer external connections.
If Complexity Solves a Problem, Buy It
An expanding company may get to the point that the manual process of gathering evidence is no longer efficient. The cost of continuous monitoring and integration can be justified by the increased effectiveness.
It is not required to purchase the most complicated compliance stack until later. It’s about getting the compliance tasks organised, keep solid evidence, and allow for an independent audit to be managed. The best software will remove any friction from this process. If the process of implementing the compliance tool feels like it takes longer than the preparation for SOC 2 in itself, then the tool might not be enough.